A Carter Lake man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for offenses related to child pornography. Jay McCall Schnider, 52, received the sentence on March 12, 2025, after being linked to files containing child sexual abuse material, as revealed by court documents and evidence at sentencing.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children initially flagged the case when they received a CyberTip, leading to the identification of an account connected to Schnider. This account had been active in receiving and uploading illegal content between April 2020 and July 2023.
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Schnider's residence in Carter Lake, where they seized an electronic device. A forensic examination confirmed its use in receiving prohibited images and videos.
Upon completing his prison sentence, Schnider will undergo a five-year term of supervised release. The federal system does not offer parole.
United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa announced the sentence. The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation in Schnider's case.
This prosecution was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006. The initiative aims to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse by coordinating federal, state, and local efforts to arrest and prosecute offenders, as well as identify and rescue victims. More information on Project Safe Childhood can be found at the Department of Justice's website.
